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It’s been 10 years and 8 films and the Harry Potter cinematic franchise can finally be laid to rest. So, now seems as good a time as any to review every one of the movies! In retrospect, as most people would agree, the books were far more fun than the movies, and while none of the movies were “great,” many were good and entertaining. It was nice having faces to put to the characters in the book as well, since the movies came out before the series was ever finished in print. Gooood stuff.

One thing I’ve noticed is that the series tends to frustrate people, especially in the later films. This seems to be due to the fact that the screenplays are (necessarily) dumbed down to fit into a watchable movie, angering the diehard book fans, yet it tends to retain enough detail and mythology to confuse the more casual viewer. Alas this seems like an unavoidable pitfall to adapting an epic, much beloved and read book series into film. Oh well.

-  HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE – (2001)

The first film in the series is the most family friendly, appropriately, with our 11 year old heroes not yet jaded by the dark reality of the wizarding world. It’s because of this that Chris Columbus’ introduction to this magical universe remains the most, well… magical. The awe on Harry’s face is as fresh as can be here, and the adventure that ensues is too early in the series to feel formulaic (although it is).

- HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS – (2002)

This entry is almost identical to the first one (but with more giant snake), and just that much more tiredly familiar.

- HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN -(2004)

Director Alfonso Cuarón took the series to new places cinematically with the Prisoner of Azkaban, finally eschewing the warm-and-fuzzy Chris Columbus vibe for something dark and ominous which fit our hero’s entering teenage years, and really served as a model for the remainder of the films. Having said that, the third installment of Rowling’s book is also probably the least interesting plot-wise. It’s more of an introduction to adolescence than a rollicking adventure, but still noteworthy for Cuarón’s quirky manipulation of curiosity.

- HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE – (2005)

In retrospect, the fourth Potter book is probably the most adaptable into an entertaining film, with its new (yet still comfortingly familiar) environs revolving around the exciting Tri-wizard tournament. This, combined with director Mike Newell’s crisp and sure-handed plotting make Goblet of Fire the funnest entry in the series. A great success.

- HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX – (2007)

A dark entry, but not nearly as infuriating as the book, which was why the fifth book was my favorite, so one can understand how this is a disappointment for me. It manages to be murky and moody as it should during this tumultuous time in our character’s teenaged lives, but the  soul-igniting fire isn’t really there. Sure, the effects and production values are all present in full force, but it feels a bit too episodic and undistinguished, which is particularly harmful for a movie stuck in the middle of an eight part series.

- HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE – (2009)

Brilliantly paced alternating between ominous darkness and relationship building comedy, a balance that is sustained through to the end, making this entry compelling and very enjoyable. Yates’ direction here is crisper and more graceful than any of the other films, stylish and dark yet not overbearingly or indulgently so. Now that the characters and actors have matured it feels much easier to accept their various follies and emotions. New guest star Jim Broadbent is irresistable as Horatio Slughorn, and Tom felton is more odious (but in an elegant way) than ever as Draco Malfoy. The tone of the very ending however, felt unnecessarily light and sappy which really seemed inappropriate for its context, although the climax crackles like thunder. My favorite of the series.

- HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PT 1 -(2010)

The first part of the seventh chapter is more of a frustrating bookmark that leads into the finale, setting up all of the gloom and doom that has to be faced before our heroes can vanquish the evil forces of Lord Voldemort. Director David Yates establishes a sense of dread by immersing much of the film in silence without noticeable musical scoring, which when coupled with the dark photography and evasive storyline make this perhaps the easiest film in the series to fall asleep in. This is also where it’s easiest to get lost in the details of the story lines, pronouns, and Latin phrases that populate Rowling’s mythology, which will also disappoint diehard book-fans with its omissions.

 

- HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PT 2 – (2011)

The series ends with a bang mostly revolving around the battle for Hogwarts and the conclusion of the myriad loose ends of Rowling’s epic series. If you were confused by many of the details in the first part, you’ll be even more confused here; much of the moments that are supposed to feel inspiring or rousing end up being equally confusing since it’s hard to be sure why they are important in the first place. The film also features a few moments of unintentional comedy at its most dramatic points, but it doesn’t hurt to laugh with all the villainy going on. Some of the points that were confusing in the book remain enigmatic here, but that’s hardly the movie’s fault. Nevertheless, the film delivers what everyone’s been waiting for: an epic battle between good and evil to put the conflict to rest for good, and this is where the film is most successful.

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In retrospect, if you want to get the most out of the movies it’s probably best to avoid the books and take the films at face value; you’ll have fewer gripes with the story and its increasing convolutions. But, if you wish to get the most out of Rowling’s magical universe you should just read the books. Actually, I think the series would be fantastic in say, 20 years remade as a TV miniseries, that way it can be made as long as possible to include as much of the story fans have come to love. Wouldn’t that be fun?

No matter how good or bad the movies may be though, there is no substitute for the child-like joy of reading the Potter series for the first time. Sighh…

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